Spreader operator vs traveling plant operator

The differences between spreader operators and traveling plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a spreader operator and a traveling plant operator. Additionally, a traveling plant operator has an average salary of $45,267, which is higher than the $38,453 average annual salary of a spreader operator.

Spreader operator vs traveling plant operator overview

	Spreader Operator	Traveling Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$38,453	$45,267
Hourly rate	$18.49	$21.76
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	30,111	35,853
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Spreader operator vs traveling plant operator salary

Spreader operators and traveling plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Spreader Operator	Traveling Plant Operator
Average salary	$38,453	$45,267
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $56,000	Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between spreader operator and traveling plant operator education

There are a few differences between a spreader operator and a traveling plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Spreader Operator	Traveling Plant Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Spreader operator vs traveling plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between spreader operators' and traveling plant operators' demographics:

	Spreader Operator	Traveling Plant Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between spreader operator and traveling plant operator duties and responsibilities

Spreader operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Work together as a four-man team manually making plywood, pull green chain.

Traveling plant operator example responsibilities.

Develop and manage a comprehensive vendor qualification program to support the GMP manufacture of vaccine products.
Follow up customers complaints, report them to vendors to improve their services.
Plan, coordinate, and execute tours and arrange professional technical visits for Japanese customers.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Work together as a four-man team manually making plywood, pull green chain.

Spreader operator vs traveling plant operator skills

Common spreader operator skills

Loaders, 37%
OSHA, 30%
CDL, 23%
Asphalt, 10%

Common traveling plant operator skills

Spreader Operator vs. similar jobs

Spreader Operator related careers

Spreader Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Construction and Extraction Industry
Spreader Operator
Spreader Operator vs Traveling Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs